In April, about 30 scientists from 4 countries and various expertise participated in one week of research on the previously almost unexplored Vjosa river in Albania – in the area of the planned Poçem dam, which will destroy Europe's last big wild river. All experts were amazed by the complexity and sheer size of the river system and every expertise found something at the Vjosa – species, habitat types, dynamic river processes – that has been long lost on all regulated rivers in central Europe.

Gathered data is still being evaluated and a final report will be published in 2018. First results will be presented at the University of Tirana this September. In the meantime, watch this 3-minute video about the Scientists for Vjosa week, featuring stunning drone footage of the extensive Vjosa river landscape.